The Graybeards - KWVA - Korean War Veterans Association

Western Ohio Chapter #108
The veterans and associates of this chapter celebrated the
anniversary of ten active years. Our purpose within this chapter is
to promote the objectives of the National Korean War Veterans
Association as set forth on the Charter of the KWVA. The chapter
co-founders, Gene Bowser and John Monroe continue to support
this purpose.
Present executives, Ken Williamson, President; Delbert
Breese. Jr., Vice President; Barbara Lockery, Secretary and T.
Dale Snyder, Treasurer, continue to have general charge of affairs
of this chapter. President Williamson and Charter Member, Fred
Shively, continuously promote the TELL AMERICA PRO-
GRAM. Other committee members and associates take a active
interest and support our annual ROSE OF SHARON fund raiser
and contribute to a social gathering after each meeting, twice a
month.
(Thank you Gene L. Bowser for photo and letter.)
Community College and a Regional Site Proclamation and Introductions by
CWO Mary C. Ward, Commanding Officer United States Coast Guard
Station, Cape Canaveral. The featured Speaker, Thomas Barrett, Vice
Commandant, United States Coast Guard, delivered a stirring speech and
received an enthusiastic response from the audience. The program also
included a 21-Gun Salute to honor our nation’s fallen comrades from all
our wars and a Fly-Over by a Clearwater Air Station helicopter. This event
has received national recognition as being one of the very few events recognized
by the U. S. Defense Department. This recognition has been
received for the past five years!
Helicopter Dedication Ceremony
A spirited dedication ceremony was held on the display grounds in front of
the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center and Museum Building in Merritt
Island, Florida on November 9, 2003. The ceremony celebrated the completion
of restoration and erection upon its pedestal of a Huey UH 1H 71-
20139 Helicopter.
The helicopter, donated to the Center by the Government Museum Display
organization and moved from the-U.S. Army’s Ft Pickett, was considered
the “workhorse” of air-to-ground combat and rescue support as well as
various other missions during the Vietnam War. The task of restoring this
aircraft was performed by volunteers from the Center and KWVA Chapter
210. This particular 17th Calvary, H-Troop Huey also took part in the hectic
and dangerous evacuation of Saigon during the closing days of that conflict
Several guest officers and crew members who served on this helicopter
were present at the ceremony and gave verbal comments of their experiences
and praise of the aircraft.
The ceremony also included a KIA Reading of H -Troop by Captain Sam
Slaughter XO. Guests representing “Air Calvary” and “Air America” also
gave comments. Guests were welcomed by Lou Rossi, Co-Chairman
Brevard Veterans Council and introduced by Maury Meisner, Co-Chairman,
Brevard Veterans Council and Helicopter Project Manager, both are also
members of Chapter 210.
Brevard County Chapter #210 of Florida
Veterans Day Celebration and Massing of the Colors
Our Chapter was well represented at the Twenty First Annual Massing of
the Colors Ceremony at Brevard Community College in Cocoa on Veterans
day, November 11, 2003. A large contingent of our Chapter members were
in attendance, wearing Class A uniforms, as our colors were being carried
and proudly displayed by ROTC Cadets.
The colors of a total of 75 participating military organizations were displayed
at this glorious event. Since 1982, BCC and the Space Coast -
Indian River Chapter #170, Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW)
have jointly presented this activity as a patriotic tribute to our nation. On
this beautiful late autumn day the superb program presentation included
the welcome address by Dr. Thomas Gamble, District President, Brevard
Attending the ceremony: L to R: Chapter members: Nelson Ruiz, Nick
Beninate, John Howard, James Appleton, Charles Hackney, Paul Spescia;
and, second from the right, Maurice Meisner. Also shown are dignitaries,
members of the Huey helicopter crew and a representative of Air America.
(Thank you Charles
W. Hackney for photo
and letter.)
Attending the ceremony: Front row: Nelson Ruiz; Middle row, L to R: Nick
Beninate, Charles Hackney, Jim Christiansen, John Howard, Chapter 210
President: Julius Farago, and John Stansell; Top row: William Lovitt, Mickey
Tutolo, Paul Spescia, Richard Williamson and Howard Maxcy.
Huey Helicopter.
Introducing guests and
Chapter 210 members, is
Chapter 210 member
and Co-Chairman,
Brevard Veterans
Council, Louis Rossi.
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The Graybeards